December 8 and the city gate. Where are the soliders?

Morning has come and breakfast in an American Hotel! I still eat Dim Sum but it is nice to see bacon and eggs. The part I miss most; cheese. It is strange the things we miss from the US.
We meet in the lobby again for a trip to........ the city wall? I was ready for the soldiers! But the wall is wonderful and you can see both sides of the city from here. One side of the city has a great park with people practicing Tai Chi, singing in groups and exercising. The other side has buildings being torn down, people selling food from carts and living in tents. You can tour the wall on a golf cart or rent a bike. We decide just to walk. There are lots of small market booths with goods and food. There are several people flying kites. One man lets us take turns holding his kite. It has about 22 small kites flying in a line. I bought a kite and a name stamp from one of the stalls. It is really windy on the wall! Use this link to copy and paste into your browser to see the wall for yourself.

www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/citywall.htm

Off to eat again, we seem to do a lot of this on the tour! Back to the lazy Susan and lots of Chinese food! Wait! Something American! French Fries!! Have you ever eaten French Fries with chopsticks? I wonder if I can eat with a fork again?

Finally, we are on our way to the soldiers. It will be a long bus ride into the county side. Seems like a good time to snuggle in for a nap! We don't have our police escort any more, just the tour director telling all about the site and ............... more stories about being married Chinese style. snore, snore,snore oh! We are finally at the site!
I am so excited! It doesn't seem possible to be here! It looks like arriving at Disney. Lots of buses and a large parking lot. Where are the soldiers? Where are the soldiers? You can't see them from the parking lot or any other area. They are in large pits. There are three pits of soldiers,chariots,archers, horses and so many things. We go in to see the movie about the soldiers; how they were found, made and destroyed and finally discovered.
One of the farmers who found the site is there to sign books but you are not allowed to take his picture. He holds a fan in front of his face to block cameras. I have to buy a set of soldiers. They are amazing! I still can't believe I am here! I can't wait for you to see and touch the set of soldiers. But, how will I get them home?

here again are links for you to copy and paste into your browser to see the soldiers.

www.chinahighlights.com/xian/terracotta-army/
www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/
www.warriortours.com/cityguides/xian/terra_cotta_army/

It takes several hours to see everything and the park is closing as we leave. The day has be beautiful sunny and warm. Napping on the bus on the way home and getting ready for dinner! It will be a buffet at the hotel with both American and Chinese food. The best of both worlds and no lazy Susan, but I still eat with chopsticks. We check out the shops in the hotel for bargains. We are astounded at the prices! A shawl I bought in Amelia for $15.00 is $40.00 in the gift shop! So much for cheaper in China!
Time to go to bed and prepare for the trip to Kunming. Luggage out by 5:30 and leave at 6:30 am for the airport.
We did find out our Tour Guide was on TV in the "Great Race". He was dressed as a Terra Cotta soldier and people in the race had to find him and have their picture taken with him. A celebrity!